Coronavirus may become ‘new flu’ but China ‘can weather’ economic storm
- Chinese scientist warns Covid-19 may become an established illness, like influenza, as mainland reports its lowest number of new cases since Wuhan lockdown began
- Number of cases in Beijing’s worst hospital infection rises to 36
China reported its lowest number of new coronavirus cases on Thursday since January 23 when Wuhan – epicentre of the outbreak – went into lockdown, but a leading Chinese scientist has warned the disease may become an established illness like flu.
Wang Chen, president of the China Academy of Medical Science, said that despite the recent drop in the rate of new cases and fatalities on the mainland, the world should be prepared for the possibility that Covid-19 – the official name of the illness caused by the coronavirus – was here to stay.
Wang said the new coronavirus was different from the virus which caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which was both contagious and fatal. “This new coronavirus may become a long-term disease that coexists with humans, just like flu,” he told state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday.
It was up to scientists, he said, to be prepared to study the coronavirus for the long term, and help to devise clinical strategies. “The key to containing the virus should be in scientific research,” he said.
There were 394 new cases reported in mainland China, and a further 114 deaths, as of midnight Wednesday.
So far, the disease has killed 2,118 people on the mainland, out of a total of 74,576 confirmed cases. China’s National Health Commission reported that 1,779 patients had recovered by Wednesday, bringing the total number of people who have recovered from the disease to 16,155.
It was also the 16th straight day of a fall in new infections outside Hubei province. New infections in Hubei have now dropped for seven consecutive days.
Beijing’s worst hospital infection toll rises
